Collazo told the story of Mrs. Gauzza’s persistence in getting a library in Westchase. He described naysayers telling her that there was no land and no funding and it would never get approved but she persisted. “She would not take no for an answer,” Collazo said. To honor her, he announced, Hillsborough County Commissioner Ken Hagan has requested that the county commission consider renaming the library the Maureen B. Gauzza Library.

The group then voted on the three new business items. VMs offered their final vote on changing the exterior color palette for the Reserves at West Park Village with only one vote in opposition.

VMs also offered their unanimous, final approval of the Villas of West Park Village fence guideline. Collazo spoke to homeowner, Ellen Leichert. “You have earned the victory and you have my admiration.” He added, “A lot of other people might have been confrontational, so I can’t tell you how much I appreciate that.”

Leichert responded, “I just want to thank everybody for a positive outcome. I love living here and this community.”

VMs also unanimously approved a Townhomes of West Park Village guideline changing the exterior color for one unit’s front door.

Collazo then explained that he had shared a press release and summary findings from an audit of Westchase’s violation and fining process. The audit was undertaken to help the association understand if its violation and fining procedures were being employed equitably toward all homeowners and not favoring those with leadership roles on the WCA Board, VMs group or committees. Collazo reported that he was pleased that the audit proved that the violation’s process treated everyone fairly. He added that almost every VM in the room had at least one violation, saying, “We should all be proud of it. It says a lot about you guys holding everyone accountable. Everything is working.”

Collazo then turned the floor over to WCA Director Keith Heinemann who announced an opening on the WOW Board and three seats up for election on the WCA Board of Directors. “Debbie [Sainz, the WCA Association Manager] has been underwhelmed by the response thus far. It would be great to have more people running. We have so much talent around here.”

The deadline for expressing interest in the WOW Board position is Aug. 31 and the WCA Board election is Aug. 8. Interested residents can reach out to Heinemann at keith@tampabay.rr.com and 335-6579.

Cynde Mercer (The Bridges) took the floor next. She said, “I am putting forth a proposal in the budget meeting to have the Westchase pools open for early morning lap swim. I got responses from all over Westchase from people interested in swimming. Please reach out to your homeowners about early morning lap swimming.”

The group then voted to hold the WCA Budget Workshop on Tuesday, Aug. 29, beginning at 6 p.m. at the Westchase Swim and Tennis Center. VMs agreed to send the information to their villages.

VM Eric Holt (Radcliff) next updated the group on the Westchase Krewe of Freebooters., saying. “We have a recruiting event in this room July 29. Our mermaid team will be here and we will have food with a pub crawl after for those interested.”

Holt added that the Freebooters will hold a golf tournament in September. More information on that event will appear in August's WOW.